emery@tc.fluke.COM (John Emery) (06/23/91)
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Some thoughts on the above verse: Love, by its nature, is "other-centered". While it is good to examine one's own development and growth, this focus in excess leads one to be "self-centered". In being "other-centered", personal development and growth occur without having to focus inwardly. I especially like the last part that talks about how love views people: *always protects- love is being willing to stand up for another and believe in his character although many may view otherwise. It's like the underdog in school, who everyone liked to tease and believe the worst about. Love would be the one person who stands up for the person and says "I like this person and believe in them". *always trusts- When a person's character is in question, love will believe the good before entertaining the accusation of evil until the proof is secured. Many times accusation is based on assumption. Love is willing to assume the best! *always hopes- We all have shortcommings. Love looks past the short- commings, and lives in hope that change will occur. Ever hear the phrase "They will always be like that, they will never change". Love retains the hope that one will change for better and doesn't resign one to "hopeless." *always perseveres- Love endures the pain that another inflicts when it benefits the other person. The mother who continually shows love to the rebellious child is one who perseveres. The one who answers back with kindness and respect to the other who speaks words of abuse, accusation, and cruelty shows the side of love called perseverence. There is a limit as to how much one is to take, but love goes to the limit. *never fails- The love that one shows will always have positive effects and not return in void. The love that one shows is not in vain. The Bible says that God is love. He is all of these. It is His love poured out upon His creation that gives the power to share this love. God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, boast, nor is proud. He is not rude, always seeks after our good; He is not easily angered and gives us the way for our sins to be forgiven. He does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. God always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres. God never fails. God is love! With love, John Emery emery@tc.fluke.COM